Devotional

Written by Brother David Nolfi
on Thursday, 07 December 2017.
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Consider well that the intimate joy of love that God intended husband and wife to share is an ingredient that helps hold the marriage together. Any intimate contact outside of the bonds of marriage between a man and a woman is sin, be it fornication or adultery.

It was the sexual revolution of the '60s and '70s that lowered the moral standards of our nation: no-fault divorce, casual sex, abortion, pornography... The populace began its tolerance of the many moral violations — a little leaven leavens the whole lump — and from tolerance to acceptance and from acceptance to protection by the law of the land. Such a debased condition brings humanity into the depths of human defilement. Aberrant lifestyles are looked upon with praise and protection. There are no shades of grey in the Word of God.

Written by An Original Atlantic Coast Member
on Tuesday, 05 December 2017.
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Today's article is Part 3 in a series about meekness written by an Original Atlantic Coast Member.

Being vengeful is really the negative part of having anger. We're all human and therefore subject to human emotions. So, in certain circumstances, it's natural to feel anger. In many cases, it ends up being "righteous anger," typically in a situation where someone or something is doing harm to others. Therefore, having some anger over these unjust things is not a sin. Even Christ Himself got angry at the unholy money changers in the Holy Temple.

Written by Brother P.
on Tuesday, 28 November 2017.
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Today's article is another installment in Brother P.'s column, "Lessons From the Nursing Home."

My job is to work with people in a nursing home, and in doing so I get to meet many different people of many different cultures, nationalities, and ages, and even with many different illnesses or injuries that brought them into the nursing home.

You know the type of people I like to work with the least? I don’t like working with ungrateful people.

Written by Sister Linda Scolaro
on Tuesday, 21 November 2017.
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While waiting at a traffic light, I noticed the license plate of the car in front of me had the letters: E-M-P-W-R-D. The Reading Teacher in me immediately decoded these letters to mean “empowered.” Then, I noticed a familiar image on the license plate that gave new meaning to this word, a handicapped symbol. Instantly, my views changed. I thought this individual is clearly displaying a growth mindset demonstrating that whatever handicap he or she may have, it is not going to create a feeling of being disempowered.

Written by Sister Natalie Shawver
on Tuesday, 14 November 2017.
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It’s no secret that I’m a strict routine follower. I’ve written before about my type-A personality and planning to a fault. I often wonder how I’d operate without my calendar close at hand. And don’t get me started on list-making — friends chuckle when they see the pleasure I find in rewriting them and crossing things off the endless to-dos.

As a new mom, it’s more important than ever that I abide by a routine. We’re more likely to get a good night’s rest if we keep things exactly as we did the night before: playtime, dimming the lights in the house, bath time, bottle before bed, extra cozy pajamas and cuddles. The routine helps our son fall asleep at a normal hour and assures us he gets the rest he needs.

Written by Brother Rich Nath
on Thursday, 09 November 2017.
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Every October, a meeting of the general priesthood of The Church, consisting of the elders and teachers, convenes at the World Conference Center in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. The general session is held on Friday and Saturday, with committee and quorum meetings starting as early as the prior Monday. As I write this, I’m on a plane heading there now with great anticipation. Some might wonder why I’m looking forward to a business meeting so much. But I have to tell you, this weekend is not just a business meeting.

Written by Sister Michelle Watson
on Tuesday, 07 November 2017.
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This article is Part 7 of Sister Michelle Watson's series "Dealing With Divine Delays."

God can't win the battle if you don't let Him fight for you.

Amen to that, we all say! It seems so simple. It sure sounds simple. But what does it actually mean? Versions of this succinct little statement are probably illustrated on Pinterest and set to music on video slideshows across the Internet. It's a really nice little sentence, and it rings true … we're just not sure why.

Written by Sister Rachel Alessio
on Thursday, 02 November 2017.
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A couple weeks ago, I had a conversation with my mom about how grad school is treating me, and I admitted to her that even though I am content with where I am in the world, I am not entirely comfortable with the program I am in. I voiced various insecurities to her but also told her I’m not the only one feeling this way. Many of my other graduate friends are facing similar issues, and we all feel like we aren't good enough to do what we came here to do. A couple hours after talking with her, mom sent me an article that has helped change my perspective of self-doubt.

“I may not feel ready, but I am still worthy of showing up” are the words Rachel Macy Stafford wrote in her article for The Hands Free Revolution.

Written by An Original Atlantic Coast Member
on Tuesday, 31 October 2017.
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Today, we're bringing you the first article in a series on the topic of meekness by an "original Atlantic Coast member." Enjoy!

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5)

Being meek does not mean that you are quiet or shy. A prime example of this is Moses who is said to have been one of the meekest people who ever lived, even though he was strong-minded and had a temper issue at times.

Written by Brother Justin Severson
on Monday, 30 October 2017.
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We're taking a break from our regular Miracle Monday to bring you a special devotional.

The fact that the opposition is building — and advancing — certainly needs no elaborate dissertation. Local and global newscasts bring that forth each day. Despite this disquieting time, the people of God are reminded that if God is for you, who can be against you? A situation that occurred prior to the coming of Christ supports this. In the Book of Mormon, a terrorist group called the Gadianton robbers emerged.

“And it came to pass in the thirteenth year there began to be wars and contentions throughout all the land; for the Gadianton robbers had become so numerous, and did slay so many of the people, and did lay waste so many cities, and did spread so much death and carnage throughout the land, that it became expedient that all the people, both the Nephites and the Lamanites, should take up arms against them.” (3 Nephi 2:11)

Written by Brother Justin Severson
on Thursday, 26 October 2017.
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Today, we're sharing a poem written by Brother Justin Severson, which he composed after the apostles made a special visit to the Lake Worth, Florida, Branch. The apostles' message was Urgency of Righteousness.

Written by Brother P.
on Thursday, 19 October 2017.
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Today's article is another installment in Brother P.'s column, "Lessons From the Nursing Home."

Prior to working in a nursing home, I had to go to school to learn how to work with physical therapy patients. In one particular class, we were taught how to provide manual resistance to the patient’s muscles (kind of like using weights, but I am the weight).

Often, the patient would push the wrong way, and we had to figure out how to correct it. With a tremendous variety of patient presentations — dementia, stroke, Parkinson's, you name it — the task seemed daunting.

Written by Sister Linda Scolaro
on Tuesday, 17 October 2017.
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A few weeks ago, I traveled through the picturesque hills and valleys of the Salt River Canyon (pictured) with my family to our Southwest Area Campout. We chose this route because of predicted traffic on alternate roads. What seemed to be a shortcut certainly presented a challenging drive. The road is filled with sharp turns, sudden inclines and declines, and a guardrail with a very limited protective barrier that, in my opinion, is a little too close for comfort to the edge of the road.

In any case, my husband safely drove through what seemed like an obstacle course of hills and valleys, and we arrived safe at the camp.

Written by Sister Stefanie Callens
on Thursday, 12 October 2017.
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Naturally speaking, I have a horrible sense of direction. I am also a terrible navigator. My husband tends to tell me this when I'm supposed to be helping him find a particular location. I've even gotten turned around on hikes where the path is fairly well laid out. I can't function without Google Maps.

Now, if the Google database is incorrect, then I won't find my desired destination even if I follow the exact directions. I experienced this in China, looking for a tea house that apparently was on the same named street but on the completely other side of the city — which was unfortunate since I walked three miles in the rain to find the place.